Gladiators were highly honored in the ancient Roman world. They were wined and dined by emperors; they were applauded by the blood-thirsty populace, and they were probably adored by teen-age boys. Their status was similar to the sports heroes of today. They probably didn't have trading cards then, but they would have been prime candidates. However, in contrast to the athletes of today, they lived very tenuous lives. They probably wouldn't have qualified for life insurance because of the hazardous nature of their occupation. They participated in mortal combat in which two contestants walked into the arena and only one walked out. Their motto became famous, "Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die."
We see somewhat the same mentality today with people living for the moment with little thought of future consequences. They fritter away their time in frivolous pleasure-seeking and nonsensical entertainment; they indulge themselves in excesses in eating, drinking and physical exertion for spiritual satisfaction but are left with empty vessels. Many turn to the excitement of life-threatening sports; skydiving, bungee-jumping, cliff-scaling, extreme surfing, radical motorcycle stunts, tight wire walking are such sports that put life in jeopardy for a thrill of conquest and a cheap price on life. Such sports are called white knuckle sports because of the clenched fists of the spectators. Those who are fascinated by watching such activities are akin to those who cheered on the gladiators.
Christians place a higher value on life. We believe that human beings were created by a loving God for His pleasure and purpose, and that each life is precious in His sight; too precious to squander on personal glory. We believe that a human being is the temple or dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, and that one's body should be treated with respect and care. However, we are not to value our lives above the welfare of others nor the honor of God. A man has no greater love than to lay down his life for a friend. Perhaps the greatest temptation we have is for self-preservation and the satisfaction of our own selfish desires. We are told to daily pick up our cross and die to self if we are to inherit eternal life. Thus, by dedicating our lives in unselfish service to God and our fellow man, we are constantly "dying to live."
